East Midlands Ambulance Service says it is expecting an increase in emergency calls over the weekend as the weather is sunny and as England play their first World Cup match.

The East Midlands Ambulance Service says it is expecting more calls this weekend Credit: Rui Vieira/PA Wire/Press Association Images

It says it expects calls to increase by up 15%. The service is encouraging people to ring 999 only if someone's life is immediately at risk. It says other medical problems can be dealt with by GPs or via the NHS 111 phone service.

Firefighters in special decontamination suits on the scene in Northampton today Credit: ITV News Central

These are the latest pictures from a suspected chemical spill at a school in Northampton this morning. Emergency services were called to Greenfields School and Sports college in Goldings at around 9:30am.

Emergency services evacuated the building after reports of chlorine gas escaping from a swimming pool Credit: ITV News Central

It's thought two chemicals mixed in the plant room of the school's swimming pool and produced chlorine gas.

Around a hundred and fifty people were told to evacuate as a precaution - two adults were taken to hospital for treatment.

People living nearby were advised to keep their doors and windows closed Credit: ITV News Central

Ambulance services across the region are preparing for their busiest weekend of the year. Tonight is known as "black Friday", the last Friday before Christmas, which marks the most popular day for Christmas parties.

Partygoers are expected to be out in force this weekend and the emergency services are warning people to be sensible.

Today marks the most popular day for Christmas parties Credit: ITV News Central

East Midlands Ambulance Service is expecting a 20% rise in call-outs. In 2012, the service received over 1,500 calls on Friday 21 December.

A treatment unit is being set up on Broad Street in Birmingham city centre to treat patients at the scene.

The women who has been appointed to turn around the performance of East Midlands Ambulance Service says the organisation has listened to patients and experts.

The service has been criticised repeatedly for failing to meet response targets

Earlier today ITV News Central presenter Matt Teale spoke to Sue Noyes, the interim chief executive, who was keen to apologies for past mistakes including the case of a man who died when paramedics lost the keys to an ambulance.